Inside Look with Lisa Gilpin, Project Runway Blogger for Saturn
Posted: 8/25/2008

    

 

      DFP: You’ve been working for Saturn for 7 years; did you always know you wanted to    be in this line of work?

 

LG: Believe it or not, I started out on the Finance Staff at GM right after I graduated.  It’s great background to have, but I knew I wanted to work more with people, and also more closely with the product.  If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be in advertising, I’m not sure I would have believed it.  But it’s really been a great fit, and I totally enjoy it.

 

DFP: Where did you go to college? What was your major?

 

LG: I went to Michigan State for my undergraduate degree in Finance, and University of Detroit Mercy for my MBA program.

 

DFP: Who are your favorite designers from Season 5 of Project Runway?

 

LG: It’s been a really interesting season so far, with respect to the designers and consistency.  Someone will be up one week, then on the bubble of elimination the next, and we haven’t seen that in prior seasons.  From a design aesthetic, I’ve liked a lot of what I’ve seen from Korto and Terri.  Stella is really growing on me – not for her designs, but as a person.  She ties in her own aesthetic to the challenge (for better or for worse), and she’s not wasting time talking about her “high level of taste” (like Daniel) or ripping on the other designers.  I’m entertained every time I hear her!

      And of course, I’ve been rooting for Detroit’s own Joe Faris.  I was really impressed with his design for the drag queen challenge, knowing that it was way out of his comfort zone.  Go Joe!

 

DFP: How would you describe your personal style?

 

LG: I like to have fun with what I’m wearing, so I try to mix it up.  I try to find one or two trends I like, and go for it.  Because I do work at the Ren Cen, I can’t go too crazy!  However, I definitely have been more adventurous with fashion since we aligned with Runway.  I’m obsessed with accessories and shoes and love to find unusual pieces.  I love to travel all over the world, so I look for fun and different things to bring back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DFP: Favorite judge from PR?

 

LG: No question - Nina Garcia!  I got to meet her in February, when she was in Detroit, and she was amazing.  I didn’t know what to expect, given how you see her on the show, but she’s so nice and surprisingly shy.  I love her style – she always looks just great.

 

DFP: Favorite challenge on the show so far?

 

LG: So far, absolutely the drag queen challenge.  I’d love to see drag queens as the clients and models in every episode – they were so exuberant and fun to watch.  It was great to see them out of character as well.  I will confess that I was hoping for more drama, but there’s a lot of season left!

 

DFP: What is the most exciting part of your job?

 

LG: Getting to work closely with my favorite show (PR) has been surreal at times but also a fan’s dream.  There is a ton of work that goes into these integrations, but it’s been worth it.  I’ve met almost all of the designers from each season, and getting to attend the taping of the finale at Fashion Week is totally cool. 

 

Of course, being the official Saturn blogger for seasons 4 and 5 has been amazing!!  It was totally surreal during the beginning of Season 4 to go on the Bravo website and see my photo there.  And I have met people who recognize me, which is even stranger.  I had never blogged before, so those first few weeks were a little nerve-racking.  But thanks to the blog, I’ve met some amazing people and have gone to some really cool events like GM Style.

 

 

DFP: What was it like to work with Kit Pistol?

 

LG: Kit is so cool and incredibly sweet.  She lives in LA, but happened to be in New York for her birthday, so we were able to include her (we filmed the vignettes in NYC).  She, Jack (Mackenroth), Kevin (Christiana), and Victorya (Hong) are all really good friends, so I got to hang out one night with Kit, Jack and Kevin. 

      She truly loved “her” Astra, and also our “Kiss My Astra” contest.  I got her a “KMA” care package, and she gave me one of her Kit Pistol pins.  We’ve stayed in touch via phone and email (in fact, I heard from her yesterday), and will hopefully be able to connect at Fashion Week.

 

DFP: Anything else you’d like to add about Saturn or Project Runway?

 

LG: I’m really proud of Saturn’s partnership with Project Runway.  We’ve been with the show since the second season, and every season we’ve gotten more and more integrated.  Fashion designers and automotive designers are really kindred spirits and have a ton in common, which I don’t think the “man on the street” realizes.  I try to bring that out in my blog as much as possible.  T Great design is an important element of Saturn, so Runway has been the perfect venue to showcase our portfolio.

 

Be sure to head over to Bravo’s website and check out her blog.  *Lisa will also be attending the Project Runway Viewing Party on Wednesday on the Rooftop of the Park Shelton.

 

Article by Alli Bement

Photos by Melissa Herndon

 

 

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